陕西旅游地理(英文).ppt

Chapter 5 Tourist Zone of Historic and Cultural Sites in Shanxi and Gansu content I Geography and History of Xi’an Xi’an, covering an area of about 9,977 square kilometers, was known as Chang’an in ancient China and is now the capital city of the province of Shanxi. It administers 8 districts and 5 counties, making it the largest city in north-western China. It is located in the southern part of the Guanzhong Plain, with the Weihe River to its north, the Zhongnan Mountains to its south and several other rivers winding across its surrounding areas, testifying the historical record of “Chang’an protected by 8 surrounding waters”. The 8 waters refer to the 8 surrounding rivers of Bahe, content I Geography and History of Xi’an Chanhe, Fenghe, Zaohe, Haohe, Juhe, Jinghe and Weihe, which had served the irrigation of farm lands around Chang’an, transportation within the region and the natural defense works of the city as well protecting the millennium-old ancient city. With a favorable climate, fertile land, rich resources and fascinating scenery, Xi’an was the capital of the largest number of dynasties and the longest period in China. From the Western Zhou Dynasty (the peak of China’s Slavery Society) to the Tang Dynasty (the best of China’s feudal dynasties), Xi’an served as I Geography and History of Xi’an China’s capital for 12 dynasties of over 1,100 years, namely, Western Zhou (1100BC – 771BC), Qin (221BC – 206BC), Western Han (202BC -8AD), Xin (8-23), the period of Emperor Min of the Western Jin (265 - 316), Earlier Zhao (304 - 318), Earlier Qin (350 - 386), Later Qin (384 - 416), Western Wei (535 - 556), Northern Zhou (557 - 581), Sui content I Geography and History of Xi’an (581 -618), and Tang (618 -907). Besides, it also served as the capital during several rebelling farmers’ regime, such as Chimei, Lulin, Daqi by Huang Chao, and Dashun. Xi’an, the ancient capital bordering Qinling Mountains in the south and Weihe River in the nort